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The root microtubule cytoskeleton and cell cycle analysis through desiccation of Brassica napus seedlings

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Abstract

Desiccation tolerance (DT) of orthodox seeds is reduced upon their germination. The main aim of this study was to estimate the range of rape seedling DT by examining the consequences of desiccation on the distribution, stability and orientation of microtubules in diverse cells. Using different parameters, such as relative water content (RWC), the tetrazolium viability test and electrolyte leakage, it has been demonstrated that a small percentage decrease in relative humidity can cause irreparable changes in membrane permeability, as well as in nuclear structure and microtubule cytoskeleton stability. Seedling root tips survived when exposed to low desiccation stress intensity, but small changes in microtubule behavior were observed. Cortical microtubules formed thick arrays, especially near the plasma membrane. Water loss also resulted in a reduction of the mitotic activity. More rapid desiccation caused microtubule depolymerization. Occasionally, abnormal tubulin aggregates were visible. Cell divisions were not detectable under these conditions. Due to the observable microtubule defects, the hypersensitivity of the microtubule cytoskeleton might be a useful and simple parameter for estimating environmental stress intensity.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Dr. Teresa Cegielska-Taras from the Plant Breeding and Acclimation Institute in Poznań for kindly providing Brassica napus seeds and Ewa Raj from the Department of General Botany, AM University of Poznań for technical assistance with PEG-embedded sample sectioning.

I thank also Jennelle Malcos from the Biology Department, Pennsylvania State University for improving the language of this work and valuable discussion.

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  1. Department of General Botany, Institute of Experimental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznań, Poland

    Agnieszka Bagniewska-Zadworna

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  1. Agnieszka Bagniewska-Zadworna
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Correspondence to Agnieszka Bagniewska-Zadworna.

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Bagniewska-Zadworna, A. The root microtubule cytoskeleton and cell cycle analysis through desiccation of Brassica napus seedlings. Protoplasma 233, 177–185 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-008-0001-z

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